Mo. trooper, 4 others hurt in boat collision

LAKE OZARK, Mo. (AP) — A Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper and four other people are recovering after two boats collided on the Lake of the Ozarks.

Investigators say a Water Patrol boat being driven by 35-year-old Trooper Stephen Burgun, of Jefferson City, collided Thursday night with a boat driven by 55-year-old Brian Pecenka, of Lake Ozark.

The patrol says Pecenka did not have his bow lights on when he turned in front of the patrol boat. Burgun’s boat hit the starboard side of Pecenka’s boat, which flooded and capsized. They were rescued by other Water Patrol troopers.

Pecenka suffered serious injuries. Three of his passengers, all from St. Louis, suffered minor to moderate injuries. Pecenka and one passenger were taken to hospitals. Burgun also was hospitalized with what were described as moderate injuries.